THE NEED TO GROW

Science is a universal human enterprise, and every research system has to find its own way to success.

ICREA is an institution founded in 2001 by the Government of Catalonia tailored to the particular needs of our research system. It has succeeded in gathering one of the most influential research communities in the world.

The mission of ICREA is to attract and retain exceptional researchers from all over the world to promote the impact and global visibility of Catalan universities and research centres.

In 2018, as many as 10 ICREA Research Professors have ranked in the top 1% most cited academics in the world.

What is our secret?

THE NEED TO GROW

THE NEED TO FIND

We are not defined by our origins, but by our choices.

ICREA chooses researchers through a robust, merit-based process that relies on the opinions of independent, high profile experts who look for quality and excellence, creativity and talent.

We are committed to hiring the minds that will shape the thoughts of future generations.

ICREA is a signatory of the San Francisco Declaration of Research Assesment.

ICREA is an institution without walls. ICREA Research Professors choose their host institutions within the Catalan research system where they act as research leaders and attractors of additional talent.

ICREA Research Professors can move freely within the Catalan research system keeping their ICREA position.

THE NEED TO FIND

THE NEED TO DISCOVER

ICREA gathers a vibrant community of scientists and academics who contribute to the advancement of humankind by exploring, interpreting and questioning. We are constantly expanding and attracting new talent.

264

ICREA Research Professors

hold permanent ICREA positions
as 31st december 2018.

ICREAs BY TYPE OF HOST INSTITUTION

127

in universities

115

in CERCA centres

14

in CSIC centres

8

in other research institutions

An external, independent Promotion Committee regularly evaluates their performance throughout their career.

ICREAs IN EVERY AREA

ICREAs FROM MANY COUNTRIES

29

nationalities represented

43%

non-Spanish nationals

ICREA is an equal opportunities organization and does not allow discrimination by gender, age, nationality, racial group, nor any other possible discriminatory issues. ICREA supports and promotes an inclusive enviroment at the workplace.

In 2018, ICREA was recognized by EURAXESS with the Human Resources Strategy for Researchers award (HRS4R).

“[ICREA] is a unique organisation that was established to attract scientific talent to Catalonia. It is an exemplary organisation that has been set up to provide a great deal of research independence for senior researchers. The core staff is small but yet highly productive. There is a very strong international peer review process that has been introduced to hire researchers. It is clear that ICREA adheres to the Principles of the Charter and Code.”

THE NEED TO DISCOVER

THE NEED TO DREAM

ICREA Research Professors often attain recognition for pursuing research on the frontiers of knowledge. This year was no exception: they continued to receive major awards and honours for their contribution to the advancement of humankind through their outstanding research.

These are a few ICREA Research Professors who received awards in 2018. See other awards in the “Honours and Awards” section.

THE NEED TO DREAM

THE NEED TO SHARE

ICREA among leading research institutions in the world.

FIELD-WEIGHTED CITATION IMPACT

ICREA Research Professors produce a staggering amount of high profile publications, and are an extremely influential scientific community.

2,020

total publications

91%

articles in the first quartile

ERC GRANTS PER MILLION INHABITANTS

Catalan universities and research centres provide an exceptional environment for research. Thanks to this, ICREA Research Professors in 2018 have been able to continue performing beyond expectations.

This year, 10 ICREA Research Professors have been included among the top 1% most cited researchers wordlwide by Clarivate Analytics.

HIGHLY CITED OVER TOTAL ACTIVE PI

THE NEED TO SHARE

THE NEED TO TRANSFORM

There is neither basic nor translational science. There is only science, which changes the way we understand ourselves and the universe, and which eventually leads to amazing discoveries. In the meantime, it attracts funds, creates occupation and brings new technologies and opportunties.

These are some relevant figures of our achievements:

THE NEED TO TRANSFORM

THE NEED TO NURTURE

To further support research in Catalan public universities, ICREA offers research intensification grants to selected faculty who are in an expanding phase of their careers through the ICREA Academia programme. Awardees increase their global impact and gain international recognition and visibility.

5-year

grant

1.5%

of all tenured faculty in Catalonia

269

ICREA Academia grants to date

120

active grants

This year, 3 ICREA Academia grantees have also been included among the top 1% most cited researchers by Clarivate Analytics.

THE NEED TO NURTURE

THE NEED TO EXPLAIN

We are very proud to say that most all our funding comes from the Government of Catalonia. We use it wisely and invest the funds with the utmost care to make sure that our resources are directly turned into the best possible science. Here is a snapshot of our budget structure.

100%

Government of Catalonia

RESEARCH FUNDS BY TYPE OF HOST INSTITUTION

THE NEED TO EXPLAIN

THE NEED TO COOPERATE

In the end, our secret is no secret at all. ICREA is an instrument carefully crafted to meet the needs of the Catalan research system, which has become a symbol of its excellence. We are grateful to our 48 host institutions allied under the same values and vision: to use research to contribute to a fairer, safer and more prosperous society for all.

This is our secret.

ICREA promotes the advancement of science as a contribution to a knowledge society that is peaceful, sustainable and fair for all, which provides welfare, defends equality and guarantees freedom.